Destination Advice: 10 UK Trips That Feel Abroad

This guide is for those moments.

At Bailey of Bristol, we’ve picked 10 UK trips that feel abroad, each one ideal for touring in a caravan, motorhome or campervan.

So if you’re dreaming of escape but staying closer to home, start here for your UK travel destinations.

Drive to Amalfi in… Devon?

Think pastel houses, cliffside cafés and a breeze that smells faintly of lemons. Only this time, you’re in Devon.

Start your trip with a stroll along Babbacombe Downs (which is the highest clifftop promenade in England, if you didn’t know!) before heading down to Oddicombe Beach via the historic cliff railway.

From there, wind your way to Cockington, a tiny thatched village with a manor house, English gardens, an excellent café and even a craft centre to explore.

Top tips:

• Arrive before 10am for free roadside parking near Babbacombe Model Village.
• Skip the Torquay crowds and drive through St Marychurch for a quieter, more local route to the coast.

See Santorini in… Scotland?

Where can you expect to see whitewashed cottages, blue skies, beautiful coastline and fresh seafood? Why, Scotland of course! Welcome to Caithness, the quiet northeastern corner of Scotland’s famous NC500 route.

Start in Lybster, a tiny harbour town with artists’ studios and old net stores now turned cafés. Then wind north to Dunbeath Strath, where a river walk takes you past waterfalls, lots of stunning countryside, salmon leaps and a Bronze Age broch.

Top tips:

• If you’re staying out of town, a short drive along the A9 will always bring you to the next built-up area serving food, either by pub or takeaway.
• On a calm morning, head to Whaligoe Steps (365 of them) for a dramatic descent to a hidden harbour. There’s lots of information dotted around, and be sure to drop some coins into their donation box, as it funds the Steps’ ongoing maintenance directly.

Catch the Côte d’Azur in… Kent?

Rolling hills, quiet lanes and vineyards that wouldn’t look out of place in Provence, all without stepping out of Kent, not Côte d’Azur.

Start at Chapel Down Winery near Tenterden for a tour and a relaxed lunch overlooking the vines. Then head across to Hush Heath Estate, home of Balfour winery (which won a gold award from Visit England in 2018), where woodland trails wind through wildflowers and even ancient woodland. At Hush Heath, you can either take another tour or walk around at your own pace.

Top tips:

• If you’re driving to the vineyards, most will let you take your free samples home with you rather than drinking them on site.
• Book vineyard tours in advance (they fill quickly on weekends), and arrive early for easy parking.
• Consider taking the detour to Sissinghurst Castle Garden for a slow afternoon wander, and it’s especially peaceful on weekday mornings.

See Tuscany in… Suffolk?

Sun-drenched fields, riverside wine bars and gentle cycling through golden countryside. It’s not Chianti, but Suffolk’s Shotley Peninsula gives it a run for its money.

Start in Pin Mill, where pastel-painted pubs serving excellent home-cooked food lean out over the Orwell Estuary. Bring your camera (or keep the app open on your phone) because the boat-filled views are quietly spectacular.

Then head inland to Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park, which offers something for everyone, including information on their local area conservation work alongside Europe’s largest polar bear exhibit (okay, maybe this one isn’t quite Tuscany!).

Top tips:

• Park at Pin Mill’s pay-and-display early (spaces are tight) and walk to the Butt & Oyster pub for lunch.
• Stop at Wherstead’s Suffolk Food Hall on your way in or out, and not just for supplies, but for the view across the Orwell Bridge from their café terrace.

Carry on to the Côte d’Argyll… on Scotland’s West Coast?

Think French Riviera stillness with Highland drama, because Loch Fyne and the Argyll coast deliver both.

Start in Inveraray, with its lochside castle and cream-coloured Georgian streets. Then follow the coast to Crinan, where the canal meets the sea in a way that feels more Mediterranean than mid-Scotland.

Top tips:

• Park at Crinan Harbour car park for stunning sunsets; it’s camper-friendly, with flat spots right by the water (no overnighting, but perfect for an evening picnic).
• For a low-key Michelin moment, The Oyster Bar at Loch Fyne offers local seafood without the fuss, but it’s best enjoyed as an early lunch before the tour buses arrive (note, this is closed on Wednesdays).

See Spain in… Snowdonia?

White cottages, turquoise seas, velvet green landscapes and parched mountain trails, this Eryri (Snowdonia) and Llyn Peninsula loop has more than a hint of northern Spain about it.

Start in Llanberis, tucked beneath the peaks of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Ride the mountain railway or hike the gentler lakeside paths, then head west to Aberdaron, where whitewashed homes back onto golden beaches.

Top tips:

• The National Slate Museum in Llanberis is free to visit and easy walking distance from the main car park.
• Just outside Aberdaron, Porth Iago is a quiet cove with crystal-clear shallows and overnight campervan spots right above the beach (booking is essential as it fills up quickly).

See Sicily in… Sussex?

Walled towns, hilltop views and warm, dry air, the South Downs in high summer could pass for inland Sicily.

Start in Arundel, where the castle towers above the village’s many terracotta rooftops. Browse the antique shops (there are at least 5 at any one time within sight of each other on the high street), then head out to Amberley, a chocolate-box village tucked beside the Downs.

Top tips:

• Mill Road car park in Arundel offers motorhome-sized bays and easy access to the riverside walk. From there, it’s a 20-minute drive to Amberley, with its open-air museum and thatched cafés.
• For a quiet picnic spot with sweeping views, head to Bignor Hill, just off the South Downs Way. It’s less visited than the main viewpoints, and you may even get it all to yourself.

Hit the Highlands in… the North York Moors?

There’s a wild, open feel to this part of Yorkshire. With misty moors, ancient ruins almost as old as the trees, and dramatic coastline, it’s got real Scottish Highlands energy.

Begin at Rievaulx Abbey, a crumbling masterpiece set in a peaceful valley, then cross the moors to Runswick Bay, where red-roofed cottages wind their way down to the sea.

Top tips:

• Park at the Bank Top car park for Rievaulx. Beware, it’s a little steep, but you’re almost guaranteed a space. At Runswick Bay, use the upper village car park and walk down (the road is narrow but scenic).
• Stop for a wander at Danby Lodge National Park Centre en route, because it has flat paths, art exhibitions, and a great café with panoramic views.

Nip to Norway in… Northumberland?

If you’ve ever dreamt of fjords and sea air, Northumberland’s coast offers all that, minus the passport.

Start in Bamburgh, where the castle just seems to rise straight from the sand, then time your drive to cross the causeway to Holy Island (Lindisfarne) at low tide.

• Top tips:
  Parking at Bamburgh Grove car park gives you level access to the beach and toilets. Check tide tables carefully for Lindisfarne because the causeway floods twice daily and has clear, safe crossing times.
• For a peaceful view, skip the main beach and walk north from Bamburgh to Budle Bay as it’s a birdwatcher’s haven and rarely crowded, even in summer.

Catch the Cévennes in… Cumbria?

Craggy hills, deep gorges and lots and lots of sheep: parts of the Lake District’s quieter corners feel a lot like the Cévennes in southern France.

Base yourself at Ullswater, where the historic working steamers still run daily in summer, then venture up into Martindale, a remote valley home to red deer and not much else but gorgeous scenery.

Top tips:

• Park at Pooley Bridge for easy access to the Ullswater steamer and cafés. For Martindale, use the tiny car park at St. Martin’s Church; it has narrow access, but you should be fine in a campervan if you go slow (motorhomes may have to find somewhere a little further out).
• Walk from Martindale to The Nab for views and solitude. You’re likely to spot wild deer here, especially in early morning or late afternoon.

Your next UK road trip isn’t far

The beauty of having a caravan, campervan or motorhome holiday is that you don’t need to go far to feel far away. With the freedom to follow the weather, take the scenic route and pause whenever you find something special, your adventures become entirely your own.

Hopefully, a few of these ideas have sparked something: a route you hadn’t thought of, or a place you’d passed by but never explored.

Got your UK holiday ideas sorted, now what about your vehicle?

Take a look at our latest caravan, motorhome or campervan models. Each one is designed to bring comfort and a little extra joy to each of your trips.

Or visit the Bailey caravans News & Events Blog for more UK campervan trips, destinations for caravan holidays in the UK and ideas for touring the UK in a motorhome.